KU football's Nick Harwell looking forward to being go-to receiver

Wideout back after redshirting for Jayhawks last season

Nick Harwell (8), shown here shaking off Middle Tennessee defender Rod Issac (6) while playing for Miami of Ohio in the GoDaddy.Com Bowl, has 229 catches for 3,166 yards and 23 touchdowns in three college seasons prior to his transfer to Kansas.

LAWRENCE — In a perfect world, Nick Harwell would have played wide receiver last year at Kansas. And in that same perfect world, Harwell probably would be preparing right now for the next month’s NFL draft.

But Harwell’s collegiate career — while spectacular at times — hasn’t exactly been perfect. There have been a few twists and turns along the way, including his short time at KU. But that isn’t keeping him down. In fact, he is upbeat about his senior season with the Jayhawks.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Harwell said. “I haven’t been on the field — at least for a collegiate game — in over a year now. And I miss the game. I missed it last year. I’m really hungry to get back on the field and compete against other teams.”

Harwell, of course, came to KU after posting three solid seasons at Miami (Ohio), where he was dismissed last spring because of off-field issues and suspended for the fall campaign. He arrived at KU hoping to suit up for the Jayhawks in the fall as NCAA rules permit players to transfer and play immediately if they have completed their undergraduate degree and enroll in a graduate program not offered at their former school. But Harwell ultimately had to redshirt. However, his time as a practice-squad player officially ended when spring ball began.

“It’s far more entertaining than being on the scout team,” he said. “It’s been fun. We’re doing well as a team. I see us getting a lot better.”

When the 6-foot-1, 193-pounder came to KU to play for coach Charlie Weis, he thought the offense would be similar to the one he played in his freshman year at Miami. But when Weis brought in John Reagan to be KU’s new offensive coordinator, the old scheme was scrapped and replaced by a spread/no-huddle offense. But Harwell has no complaints. He said the new offense fits his strengths.

“I feel like I catch the ball a lot better than other receivers in traffic and yards after the catch,” Harwell said. “When I did well, it was me catching short balls and getting like eight to 10 after (the catch rather) than me catching 40-yard bombs.”

Last year, Tony Pierson led the Jayhawks with 24 catches for 333 yards. For his career, Pierson has caught 52 passes for 656 yards and three scores. To put that in perspective, Harwell has 229 catches for 3,166 yards and 23 touchdowns in three seasons.

“You try not to get too excited because he’s so competitive,” Weis said of Harwell. “He runs good routes, he catches the ball, he doesn’t like getting beat in drills. He wants to go against the best guy every single time.

“He’s the type of competitor I’m used to playing with, and if he comes even close to the expectation I have for him, I think we’ll be pretty good.”

Harwell, who will wear No. 8, said he is looking forward to being KU’s go-to guy in the passing game. And along with his experience and leadership, Harwell noted he brings a tireless work ethic — a trait he plans on taking with him beyond his senior season.

“I try to go as hard as I can at whatever it is I’m doing, whether it’s lifting weights, catching the ball, watching film,” Harwell said. “I almost had the game taken from me. So I try and show that this is what I actually want to do.”